The Institute for Access Studies is hosting a series of seminars
Problematising Methodology in Access Research
funded by ESRC, supported by the SRHE and the Learning and Teaching Support Network for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics.
The aim of the
series was to develop a more rigorous, reflexive and theoretically progressive
body of research into widening participation, drawing on expertise from
related disciplines. The six seminarsl focused on different methodological
approaches, how they have been used in other fields, what issues they
raise, and how they can be fostered in access research.
Seminar 3
'The Role of Life History Methodology in Access and Lifelong Learning Research'
Held at Leek Road Campus of Staffordshire University on Wednesday 5th May 2004
Programme of the day's seminar and list of participants (click here)
Speakers: Dr Mary Stuart and Dr Pat Sikes
Dr
Mary Stuart, Action on Access Associate Director for Research and Curriculum
and Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex
Mary Stuart is Action on
Access Associate Director for Research and Curriculum, and Regional Adviser for
London. She is also Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Sussex. Her portfolio
of responsibilities includes the student experience and teaching quality.
Dr
Pat Sikes, School of Education, Sheffield University
The study of aspects
of teachers’ lives and careers through qualitative research methodologies
in general and life history/narrative approaches in particular, have been the
central strand of Pat’s research interest and activity. In pursuit of this
interest her work has focused on, and developed in, four main inter-related areas.
These are: teachers’ lives and life cycles; life history methodology; social
justice issues, and qualitative research methodology.
Click here for brief outline of Pat's talk and for Pat's recommended bibliography
Pat also provided a handout to seminar participants: "Chapter 6: Questions of ethics and power in life history research" taken from the publication 'Life History Research in Educational Settings: learning from lives' co-authored with Ivor Goodson (2001)
